String-clasp.



S. STEWART.

$TRING CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 1909.

Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

amw/wbo o WWW ari SCOTT STEWART, 0F RIVESVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA.

STRING-CLASP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 14, 1909.

erases.

Patented Dec. 27, 1910. Serial No. 517,672.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Soorr STEWART, citizen of the United States, residing at Rivesville, in the county of Marion and State of Vest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in String-Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a clasp adapted to detachably hold the two ends of a section of string or the like together.

An object of my invention is to provide a clasp of the above character, which will be simple in construction, and cheap to manufacture.

A further object of my invention is to provide a clasp which will permit of the tightening of the string, but which will positively prevent the same from working loose.

My invention consists generally of a body portion having one end bent to form a housing, within which is arranged an elastic member.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numeral references designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a plan view of my clasp, a portion thereof being broken away. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional View taken on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a package equipped with my clasp and showing the preferred application of the same.

In the preferred embodiment of my clasp, I provide a flat body portion 1, bent near one end to form the slightly upwardly raised portion 2, and bent near the other end thereof downwardly to form the cylindrical housing 4. The inner edge 5 of the housing 4 is spaced away from the downwardly bent portion 3, as shown in Fig. 3, for a purpose hereinafter to be explained. Each of the ends of the upper side of the housing 4 is cut away as at 6 and provided with the depending tongue 7. The tongues 7 are arranged inwardly of the longitudinal edges of the body portion 1, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. A coil spring 8 is arranged within the housing 4 and has its upper side ar ranged to engage one of the tongues 7 when said coil is moved longitudinally in either direction. The coil spring 8 is nearly of the same size as the internal surface 4 of the housing, but sufliciently small to allow of the lateral movement of the turns forming the same, when the entire coil is moved longitudinally in contact with one of the tongues At one corner of the raised end 2 is arranged the aperture 9 and at the opposite corner of said raised end is arranged a relatively small aperture 10, which communicates by means of a tapering slot 11 with a larger aperture 12.

I will now proceed to explain the manner which my clasp may be used. One end of the string or the like is knotted and such knotted end is passed from below the clasp through the aperture 9, the string is then drawn transversely across the upper surface of the raised portion 3 and the knotted end thereof inserted downwardly through the aperture 12 and the string drawn laterally through the slot 11 into the relatively small aperture 10. The aperture 10 is of such a small size that the knot cannot be drawn upwardly out of the same. The aperture 10 is however larger than the reduced end of the slot 11 and therefore after the cord has been forced through the said smaller end of the slot 11 it will not pass through the same without considerable force being applied to it. The clasp is next placed upon the package 13 and held firm thereon by the thumb, and the string wrapped lengthwise of the package. The string is drawn as tightly as it is desired to tie the package, and passed under the clasp across the longitudinal wrap 14 and transversely across the package as at 15, and transversely again as at 16. The end 17 is then introduced into the end of the housing 4 arranged diagonally to the aperture 9, and said end 17 drawn longitudinally within the opening formed between the spaced edge and the portion 3. The turns of the coil spring within the housing are moved laterally in the direction of the movement of the string and the string thus works its way between the coil spring and the bottom of the housing. It is obvious that if the string is drawn in the opposite direction that said turns will be moved laterally and clamp the cord to the housing. To remove the string from out the housing it is moved in the same direction as when being inserted, except that it is moved laterally at the same time.

It is obvious that by introducing the string into the end of the housing arranged diagonally to the aperture 9, that the clamp will lie flat. It is also obvious that the string may be introduced into either end of the housing and the coil spring 8 will prevent its backward movement as above described. It is Worthy of note that the curvature of the clasp is especially adapted to receive the end of the thumb, the housing l preventing the thumb from slipping off.

It is to be understood that the application of my device as above illustrated is to be taken as a specific illustration, and that I do not limit myself solely to such a use, and that my clasp may be used in many different Ways.

Having 1. A device of the character described, comprising a substantially flat body portion having one end thereof bent to form a housing, a coil spring arranged Within said housing and being substantially smaller in its circumference than the internal surface of described my invention, I claim: I

said housing, said housing being provided with a laterally arranged longitudinal open ing, and means for preventing the displace ment of said spring.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a housing, a coil spring disposed. Within said housing and capable of moving longitudinally thereof, said housing being provided With an opening upon one side thereof, and lugs formed upon one side of said housing for engaging the ends of said coil spring to limit the longitudinal movement of the same.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses. I

SCOTT STEWART.

lVitnesses B. D. SATTERFIELD, CLAUD A. SrEWART. 

